Fracture TypesBiology 120

Chapter 4 PresentationAuthor: Jason Godo

Spiral Fracture Bone fracture when torque is applied

along the axis of a bone.

Tension is exerted upon one part of the bone, while compressive forces are exerted upon the other.

When these forces have exceeded the limit tolerable by the bone, fracture occurs.

Cause: Spiral fractures are caused by sharp, forceful, twisting motions, exerted on a limb that is also being compressed at the same time (eg. being stood on). This type of fracture is common in skiers who can lose control of their skis, causing them to twist inwards or outwards, causing spiral fractures in the tibia or fibula. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_fracture

Oblique Fracture A fracture that is diagonal to

a bone’s long axis.

Cause: Spiral fractures are caused by sharp, forceful, twisting motions, exerted on a limb that is also being compressed at the same time (eg. being stood on). This type of fracture is common in skiers who can lose control of their skis, causing them to twist inwards or outwards, causing spiral fractures in the tibia or fibula.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_fracture

Impacted Fracture

A fracture caused when bone fragments are driven into each other.

Cause: These fractures are usually caused by similar impacts to those that cause Torus/Buckle fractures in children. The impact along the axis of the bone (often from a fall broken by the limb in question) causes its impaction and fracture.

http://bonefracturerepair.webnode.com/types-of-fracture/impacted-fractures/

Green Stick Fracture

The structure of the fracture resembles a young/green stick breaking. The bone bends and partially breaks.

Cause: Green Stick fractures can be caused by a range of different incidents that would usually cause a specific type of fracture in an adult. The most common cause of the fracture is impact.

http://www.primehealthchannel.com/greenstick-buckletorus-fracture.html

Other Fracture Pictures

http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries_poisoning/fractures_dislocations_and_sprains/fractures.html

Thank you!